SPRINGFIELD, IL --- Eli Cook began his final season as a Prairie Star in a big way, winning the UIS Invitational with a time of 19:28.3. The Prairie Stars dominated the five-team meet, scoring just 17 points and taking six of the top seven places in the race.

Cook won the race by more than eight seconds over teammate Kenton Wilson (19:36.6), who finished second in the 54-runner field. Brendan Kroeger (19:38.3) took third behind his two teammates while Tyler Pasley (19:43.7) rounded out the top-five in the field.

Elliot Nabatov (19:50.3) placed sixth, one spot ahead of Garrad Straube (19:55.4). Jake Schwartz (20:16.5) also finished in the top-15 for the Prairie Stars.

Maryville took second in the race, scoring 52 points, while Division III opponent Millikin took third with 68 points, but broke up UIS' bid for a perfect 15 points, taking a fourth place finish. Illinois College finished fourth with 131 points and Blackburn fifth with 133.

Cook had a pace of 5:13.2 per mile in the 3.73 mile (6K) race.

"Krissy and Eli both took care of business today and looked really comfortable and strong out in front," said head coach Mike DeWitt. "Kenton had a great first meet for us and looked great for his first meet with us. The goal is to break 20 minutes and we had six runners break that mark, which is a testament to where this team is. We have been doing some really great work and we are pleased with how this race went."

The Prairie Stars will go on the road to compete at the Wheaton Dodd Invitational in Wheaton, Illinois next Saturday with the race beginning at 10:00 AM.